The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has provided new updates regarding the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State. This follows the completion of party primaries, with seventeen political parties successfully uploading their candidates’ nomination forms by the deadline of 6:00 PM on Monday, May 20, 2024, when the dedicated portal automatically shut down.
INEC announced that the personal particulars of the governorship candidates and their running mates will be published on Saturday, May 25, 2024. This publication is in line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and is listed as item 4 on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election. The Commission plans to display copies of Form EC9, along with all academic credentials and other documents submitted by each candidate, at their State Headquarters in Akure and at the 18 Local Government offices across Ondo State.
In an effort to ensure transparency and public involvement, INEC has urged Nigerians to scrutinize the documents of the candidates. They emphasized that any aspirant who participated in their party primaries and has reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by a candidate or running mate is false, can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court, as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The Ondo State Governorship Election is scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024. This announcement underscores INEC’s commitment to a transparent and credible electoral process, encouraging the public to be vigilant and participatory in the lead-up to the election. The statement was signed by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner & Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
